Miss-Delectable
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Award hopeful Kia from Middlewich lends a hand to the deaf at school (From Middlewich Guardian)
AN 11-year-old who has been described as an ‘inspiration to others’ has been shortlisted for a sign language award after overcoming a problem with her hand.
Kia Bailey, a Middlewich High School pupil, is just one of five youngsters between 10 and 16 to make it through to the finals of the Signature Annual Awards.
She has now has the chance to become the charity’s Young Learner of the Year for making the most significant contribution toward achieving an inclusive society for deaf people.
Kia first became interested in sign language at Middlewich Primary School when she became fascinated by the ‘signing choir’.
But she was concerned that she would find it difficult to sign due to a series of operations she has had on her hand.
Kia was born with her fingers stuck together on her right hand. When she was six months old she had her outside fingers separated and when she was one she one she had her middle fingers separated.
It has left Kia's fingers shorter on her right hand.
Kia attended a one hour session after school each week for 25 weeks and overcame her concerns.
Paula Harding, who teaches sign language at the primary school, said: “Kia was always very interested in signing, especially when we started the signing choir.
“But she was worried about joining the choir as she has a disfigurement to her hand and she thought it would impair her ability to sign.”
Paula explained to Kia that her condition would stop her being able to make the signing gestures and encouraged her to join.
Since then Kia has even been supporting a deaf student from Middlewich High School by having sign language conversations with him when he joins in with the choir.
Kia, who lives in the Orchards estate, said: "I really enjoy talking to someone that understands sign language.
"He also came to my primary school to see what the 'Happy Hands' signing choir was like and I had to sign to him to explain what the choir was about.
"Also in primary school there were several deaf children who I became friends with and they signed to me frequently to help me learn more."
Paula added: “We chose Kia as we felt she was an inspiration to others by overcoming her difficulties and her real enthusiasm in helping other people.
“We’re really thrilled for Kia and for the school. Kia reflects the achievement of a lot of other children.
“We hope she will keep her signing up at high school.”
Kia was also in the Guardian in July when she became one of the first youngsters in Cheshire to achieve level one of the British Sign Language (BSL) course - the same assessment that is given to adults.
She was also a group leader at school enrichment days when pupils from other schools visited Middlewich Primary School to learn about deafness.
Jim Edwards, chief executive for Signature, said: “We’ve been thrilled by the variety of nominations across all of the Signature Annual Awards categories this year.
“All of the nominations are truly remarkable and speak volumes for the amazing work happening all over the UK.”
AN 11-year-old who has been described as an ‘inspiration to others’ has been shortlisted for a sign language award after overcoming a problem with her hand.
Kia Bailey, a Middlewich High School pupil, is just one of five youngsters between 10 and 16 to make it through to the finals of the Signature Annual Awards.
She has now has the chance to become the charity’s Young Learner of the Year for making the most significant contribution toward achieving an inclusive society for deaf people.
Kia first became interested in sign language at Middlewich Primary School when she became fascinated by the ‘signing choir’.
But she was concerned that she would find it difficult to sign due to a series of operations she has had on her hand.
Kia was born with her fingers stuck together on her right hand. When she was six months old she had her outside fingers separated and when she was one she one she had her middle fingers separated.
It has left Kia's fingers shorter on her right hand.
Kia attended a one hour session after school each week for 25 weeks and overcame her concerns.
Paula Harding, who teaches sign language at the primary school, said: “Kia was always very interested in signing, especially when we started the signing choir.
“But she was worried about joining the choir as she has a disfigurement to her hand and she thought it would impair her ability to sign.”
Paula explained to Kia that her condition would stop her being able to make the signing gestures and encouraged her to join.
Since then Kia has even been supporting a deaf student from Middlewich High School by having sign language conversations with him when he joins in with the choir.
Kia, who lives in the Orchards estate, said: "I really enjoy talking to someone that understands sign language.
"He also came to my primary school to see what the 'Happy Hands' signing choir was like and I had to sign to him to explain what the choir was about.
"Also in primary school there were several deaf children who I became friends with and they signed to me frequently to help me learn more."
Paula added: “We chose Kia as we felt she was an inspiration to others by overcoming her difficulties and her real enthusiasm in helping other people.
“We’re really thrilled for Kia and for the school. Kia reflects the achievement of a lot of other children.
“We hope she will keep her signing up at high school.”
Kia was also in the Guardian in July when she became one of the first youngsters in Cheshire to achieve level one of the British Sign Language (BSL) course - the same assessment that is given to adults.
She was also a group leader at school enrichment days when pupils from other schools visited Middlewich Primary School to learn about deafness.
Jim Edwards, chief executive for Signature, said: “We’ve been thrilled by the variety of nominations across all of the Signature Annual Awards categories this year.
“All of the nominations are truly remarkable and speak volumes for the amazing work happening all over the UK.”